Welding device



Sept. 28, 1943. J. c, ALBRIGHT WELDING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJune 8, 1942 (707272 C. O A dltfornqgp'.

Sept. 28, 1943.

J. c, ALBRIGHT 2,330,658

WELDING DEVICE Filed June 8, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 p 1943. J. c.ALBRIGHT WELDING DEVICE Filed June 8, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 5[viz/6722907" p J. c. ALBRlGH'i 2,330,658

WELDING DEVICE Filed June 8, 1942 V 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jami 7263 5,

Patented Sept. 28, 1943 WELDING DEVICE John C. Albright, Chicago, Ill.,assignor to The Dole Valve Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation 01Illinois Application June a, 1942, Serial No. 446,177

10 Claims.

This invention relates to welding devices and has for its object toprovide a new and improved device of i this description.

The invention has as a further object to provide a self-aligningelectrical welding device.

The invention has as a further object to pro-- vide an electricalwelding device for welding metal pieces together.

The invention has as a further object to provide an electrical weldingdevice for welding metal pieces to elongated bodies.

The invention has as a further object to provide a welding deviceparticularly adapted for welding metal discs to the ends of projectiles.

The invention has as a further object to provide a welding device whichwill weld the discs to the projectiles so that they will always beaccurately centrally located and accurately concentric with the ends ofthe projectiles.

The invention has other objects which are more particularly pointed outin the accompanying description.

Referring now to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a sectional plan view on line ll of Fig. 2 with partsomitted,showing one form of the self-aligning electrical welding device;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail similar to Fig. 3 with parts omitted,showing the disc centering device raised allow loading of the machinewith the projectiles;

Fig. 5 is a sectional of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2, showview taken on line 5-5ing thetilting of the projectile and electrode;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged side elevation of the projectile with parts brokenaway;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged end view of the projectile with parts broken away;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing a difl'erent form of disc.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several figures. Theinvention can be used for welding many different pieces together. Forpurposes of illustration, I have shown it as being used to weld metaldiscs to projectiles.

I In ,the construction herein shown, there is a rotary table orreceiving device I upon which a number ofelongated bodies such as theprojectiles 2 may be placed. Each projectile hasat one end a concentricupstanding ring 3. The receiving device is provided with a plurality ofholding devices which hold the projectiles in position. These holdingdevices are all similar and each of them will be given the samereference numeral.

There is a stationary welding electrode, and the receiving device ismoved forward step by step so as to successively bring the projectilesin welding position with relation to the stationary Welding electrode sothat a metal piece such as a disc 4, preferably of steel, can be weldedthereto. The rotary receiving device and the stationary weldingelectrode are mounted upon a suitable frame la.

Each projectile is placed in a receiving space 5 located between theprojecting holding members 6 and l which are fastened to the supports 8and 9 pivotally connected together by the pivot l0 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4).The support 8 is movable. The support 9 is fixed in position by means ofthe fastening devices ill. The supports 8 and 9 are elasticallyconnected together by a spring l I which normally holds the holdingmembers 6 and l in contact with the projectile. Each of the supports 8is provided with an arm 12 to which is attached a roller 53 whichengages a stationary cam Hi.

There is a centering device for centering the disc 4 upon the upper endof the projectile. As herein shown, this centering device comprises twojaws l5 and I6 connected to a supporting device ll which is mounted upona pivot l8 supported by an upstanding support IS. The upper end of thesupport I9 is bifurcated and the ends of the support [1 project into thespace formed by the two members. Each adjacent supporting member 11 andsupport l9 are connected together by a spring 20. In the particularconstruction shown, there is a handle 2| by means of which thissupporting device and jaws l5 and I6 are manipulated. These jaws arepivoted together by the pivot 22 (Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5). As theprojectile approaches the welding device, the roller I3 on the member 8engages the outwardly projecting part 23 on the cam I 4 and the support8 is moved out so as to separate or open the holding members 6 and I, soas to permit the projectile 2 to be placed in position between theseholding members ready for welding, the disc centering device being heldup out of the way by means of the handle 2|. After the projectile 2 isplacedin position the roller l3, as the receiving device moves forward,is disengaged from the outwardly 55 projecting part 23 of the cam l4 andthe spring li causes the holding member 3 on the support 8 to be movedtoward the other holding member I to grip the projectile. Thedisccentering device is then lowered by means of the handle 2|, or anyother means, and the members are held in position by the spring 20 so asto surround the upper end of the projectile. The jaws i and I6 areprovided with the tail pieces 25 and 26 and the support I! is providedwith the downwardly projecting member l'la (Figs. 1, 2 and 5) whichpasses in between these tail members 25 and 25 so as to insure theproper centering position of the centering device. The jaws l5 and I5have extensions 21 and 28 witha spring 29 connecting them, which holdsthe jaws closed. This spring also holds the tail pieces 25 and 25 incontact with the projection I'Ic thereby holding the jaws in a radialposition.

The disc 4 is then dropped into the opening between the jaws l5 and IS,the jaws being ductors supply current to the electrode 33. The

other electrode, the receiving device I, i connected in any suitablemanner with theother preferably provided with beveled faces 29, 30 toinsure th disc being properly centered on top of the projectile and inproper engagement with the upstanding ring 3. The plunger 3| of thewelding mechanism is then moved down by any suitable power means and thepin 32, carried by the welding electrode '33, brought into contact withthe disc 4. The welding electrode 33 is' connected to th plunger 3| byan adjustable connection.

In the particular construction shown, the elec- -trode 33 is connectedto the member 35 by a threaded connection, as shown at 36. The member351s connected to the member 31 by means of bolts 38 which pass throughenlarged holes in the member 35 so as to provide a space 39 between thebolts and the walls of the holes to permit automatic adjustment of theparts, as hereinafter set out. Some elastic means is associated withthese bolts to permit this relative movement. As herein shown, there areelastic or rubber washers 40 between the member 35 and the nuts 38a.Metal washers 385 may be placed between the washers 40 and the nuts 38ato protect the rubber washers when the nuts are tightened. The member 31is connected to the end 4l of the plunger 3| by the bolts 42 and 43.These bolts are provided with heads or ends 44 and 45. The member 35 isprovided at its sides with the recesses 43 and 41 into which the lowerend 44 and 45 project. I

There is interposed between the member 31 and the member 35, to whichelectrode 33 is connected, a self-adjusting device which consists of thetwo members 48 and.49. The member 48 is preferably fixed to the member35 and the memsphere. The member 49 has its opposed face 52 of a similarspherical shape.

The pin 32 connected to the electrode 33 has a head 32a which limits itsdownward motion. There is a spring 53 which presses this pin downwardly.The members 35 and 3'! are connected together by the flexible electricalconductors 54 and 55 which are connected in any suitable manner to thesource of current supply. These conthat is this surface is a surface'ofa part of a terminal of the source of current supply.

During the downward movement of the plunger 3|, and before theelectrode-33 engages the disc 4, the pin 32 holds the disc in propercentered position. Before the electrode 33 engagesthe disc 4, the member56, which has a wedge-shaped lower end 56a, passes in between the jawsI5 and I5 so as to separate them and permit the electrode 33, as itmoves down, to engage the disc 4. The electrode is moved into contactwith this disc so as to exert a heavy pressure thereon. The weldingcurrent passes through the electrode 33, the disc 4 and projectile 2,into the receiving member I and the frame of the machine, thence back tothe source of electric supply.

Some means is preferably provided for pressing the holding members 6 andl tightly against the projectile, so as to hold the projectile againstmovement while the disc 4 is being welded thereto. As herein shown,there is provided for that purpose a projection 51 on each member 8having inclined faces. As the projectile reaches the welding position(Fig. 1) this projection engages a roller 53 on one end of an arm 59pivoted at 60 to the fixed frame la of the machine so as to move saidarm outwardly. The movement of this arm is resisted by a strong spring6! which abuts a fixed part 62 on the frame la. This spring causes astrong pressure to be exerted on the movable member 6 to move it towardthe opposed fixed member I to tightly clamp the projectile in positionwhile the disc is being welded thereto.

In view of the extreme accuracy required in placing disc 4 perfectlyconcentric with the end of the projectile at the time it is weldedthereto, the automatic self-adjusting mechanism, hereinbefore described,between the electrode 33 and its support is essential to the successfuloperation of the device. This will be appreciated when it is noted thatany particle of dust between the members 6 and 1 will tend to throw theprojectile out of alignment with the welding electrode 33 if theelectrode is fixed in position. Furthermore, in the movement of thereceivin device I, it is not practicable to make the device accurateenough to cause the projectile to always stop directly under thelectrode 33. By means of the present device, these discrepancies aretaken care of. With this device, when the electrode 33 is moved down toforcibly engage the disc 4 on top of the projectile, the sphericalmembers 4B and 49 will move relatively in any direction around thecomplete circle so as to bring the central axis of the projectile intoalignment with the central axis of the electrode 33 so that the face ofthe electrode will be absolutely at right angles to the axis of theprojectile, thereby insuring the proper engagement ofthe disc all theway around with the ring on the projectile. A self-aligning electricalwelding device is thus produced. I have attempted to illustrate this inan exaggerated form in Fig. 6, wherein the line 63 represents thevertical center line through the plunger. When the projectile is out ofalignment with the electrode 33 and the electrode is forced down uponthe disc on top of the projectile, the'electrode 33 will be moved due tothe pressure applied thereto by the plunger,

so that the center line 64 through the projectile and will be differentfrom the center line 63 through the plunger. This insures the centralconcentric location of the disc 4 when the welding current is applied.

After the welding is completed, the rotation of the receiving member Imoves the projection 51 out ofcontact with the roller 58, therebyreleasing the clamping pressure on the projectile, so that it may beeasily removed. The inward movement of the roller 58 is limited by theother end or the lever engaging a fixed stop 66 which is shown as a partof the frame la 01' the. machine. Upon the further rotation of thereceiving member I, the projectile with the disc welded thereto is movedto a position where the roller I3 on the member 8 engages the outwardlyproject- 'ing part 61 of the fixed cam II, thus moving the support 8 andthe holding member 8 to its open position to discharge the projectile.

Each of the supports 9 is fastened to the table I by the bolts 9a and,therefore, there is a good electrical connection from the projectile tothe table. The support 8, however, is movable and is connected to thetable Iby the pivot I so that the electrical connection is not good andthere might be sparking. To prevent this, each of the gether comprisinga holding'member, a holding device thereon for holding separate piecesto be welded together, an electrode beneath which said separate piecesare brought, a -power applying member for moving said electrode intocontact with one of the separate pieces, comprisingtwo' convex and theother face being concave.

2. A welding device for welding metal pieces together comprising aholding member, a holding device thereon for holding separate pieces tobe welded together, an electrode beneath which said separate pieces arbrought, a power implying member for moving said electrode into contactwith one of the separate pieces, a supporting member to which saidelectrode is connected, a

I rigid adjustable member connected to said supsupports 8 is providedwith a large spring connection III which is fastened by welding, orotherwise, to the table I and which exerts s'ufllcient pressure on thesupport 8 to' form a good electrical connection between the support 8and the table I.

Any of the suitable means now in use in connection with welding can beused for supplying the welding current. For purposes of illustra- .tion,I have shown an electrical connection be .tween the conductor 'II andthe member II and an electrical connection between the conductor portingmember having a spherical shaped face, a second rigid adjustable memberconnected with the power applying member and having a cooperatingspherical shaped face, the two spherical shaped faces being inengagement, connecting devices connecting said supporting member with aspherical shaped face, a second rigid adjustable.

* member connected with the power applying memstamping the disc to forma projecting ring 69 thereon. This avoids the expense of forming thering 3 on the projectile.

In the welding operation, a very heavy current is used and it isimportant that this heavy current does not pass through the sphericalshaped members 48 and 48 as there'may be produced sparks and. pitting,and these members'may be so marred or injured, as to prevent theirproper operation. To prevent this, there is arranged means forlay-passing the current around these members 48 and 49 by means of. theconductors 54 and 55' (Fig. 7). It will be noted that these conductorsare connected to the supporting member to which the electrode isconnected and to the power 'appl g member by being connected to themembers 5 and 81. It will thus be seen that this heavy current, insteadof. pass through the members 48 and 48, having spherical engagingsurfaces, passes around these members. This prevents injuryto themembers by sparking or pitting, or otherwise, '0 that this current doesnot interfere with the proper relative movement of the members. Theengaging faces of these members are preferably provided with-oil so asto insure the proper easy addustment between them to secure the 'properalignment between the device to be welded and the electrode.

I claim: 1. A welding device for welding metal pieces tosaid bolts pass,nuts on said bolts and rubber washers interposed between said nuts andsaid supporting member.

4. A welding device for welding metal pieces to- .gether comprising aholding, member, a holding device thereon for holding said pieces, anelectrode' beneath which said pieces are brought, a centering device forcentering said pieces with relation to each other, a power applyingmember Ior moving said electrode into contact with one of said metalpieces, comprising two opposed parts causing said adjustable members tomov rela-- tively to bring said axes into alignment.

5. A welding device for welding metal pieces to elongated bodiescomprising a rotatable table, separated holding devices thereon forholding a plurality of elongated bodies, an electrode beneath which saidbodies aresuccessively brought,

- supporting member with said power applying member, enlarged openingsin said supporting member through which said connecting devices pass,the pressure of said power-applying member, when the central axes ofsaid body and the electrode are out of alignment, causing saidadjustable members to move relatively to bring the axes into alignment.

6. A welding device for welding metal discs to projectiles comprising arotatable table, separated holding devices thereon for holding aplurality of projectiles, an electrode beneath which said projectilesare successively brought, centering devices for centering discsconcentric with the ends of the projectiles, a power applying member forsuccessively moving said electrode into contact with said discs, asupporting member to which said electrode is connected, a. rigidadjustable member connected to said supporting member having a sphericalshaped face, a second rigid adjustable member connected with the powerapplying member and having a cooperating spherical shaped face, the twospherical shaped faces being in engagement, bolts connecting saidsupporting member with saidpower applying member, enlarged openings insaid supporting member through which said bolts pass, nuts on saidbolts, rubber washers interposed between said nuts and said supportingmember, the pressure of said power applying member, when the centralaxes of the projectile and the electrode are out of alignment, causingsaid adjustable members vto move relatively to bring *ment.

the axes into align- FLA welding device for welding metal discs to"projectiles comprising a rotatabletable, separated holding devicesthereo-n for holding a plurality of projectiles, in .a substantiallyvertical position, an. electrod beneath which said projectiles are 8. Awelding device for welding metal discs to projectiles comprising arotatable table, separated holding devices thereon for holding aplurality said discs, an adjustable connection between said electrodeand said power applying member for providing a relative movement betweenthe power applying member and the electrode to bring the center line ofthe electrode into alignment with the center line of the projectile atthe time the welding takes place, said adjustable connection comprisingtwo rigid members both located in planes above said electrode havingspherical shaped engaging faces, one of which is concave and the otherof which is convex, both of said rigid adjustable members being ofmetal, the metal of one member being softer than that of the other.

9. A welding device for welding metal pieces together comprising aholding member, a holding device thereon forholding separate pieces tobe welded together, an electrode beneath which said separate pieces arebrought, a power applying member for moving said electrode into contactwith one of the separate pieces, comprising two opposed parts with aspace between them, one of said parts movably attached to the other saidparts having opposed recesses, two adjustable members of rigid materiallocated in said space each projecting into one of said recesses, saidadjustable members having contacting spherical shaped engaging faces,one face being convex and the other face being concave; and twoelectrical connections between said two opposed parts and on opposedsides of said concave and convex adjustable members.

10. A welding together comprising a holding member, a holding devicethereon for holding separate pieces to be welded together, an electrodebeneath which said separate pieces are brought, a power applying memberfor moving said electrod into contact successively brought, centeringdevices for center ing said discs concentric with the ends of the pro-"jecti-les, a power applying member for successively moving saidelectrode into contact with said discs,

anadjustable connection between said electrode Q and said power applyingmember for providing member and the electrode to bring the center lineof the electrode into alignment with the center relative movement.between the power applying line of the projectile at the time thewelding takes place, said adjustable connection comprising two rigidmembers out of contact with said electrode, said members havingspherical shaped engaging faces, one of which is concave and' the otherof which is conveX.

with one of the separate pieces, a supporting member to which saidelectrode is connected, the powerapplying member and supporting memberhaving a space between them, a rigid adjustable member located in saidspace and connected to said supporting member having a spherical shapedface, a second rigid adjustablemember located in said space andconnected with the power applying member and having a cooperatingspherical shaped faceQthe two spherical shaped faces being inengagement, an electrical conductor connected with said power applyingmember and said supporting member spanning the space between them andlocated at one side of said rigid adjustable members.

JOHN C. ALBRIGHT.

device for welding metal pieces

